Refers to Zelensky as "acting head of administration"
On Trump's "collusion" remark: "It must be humor"
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying, "If you are ready for talks, come to Moscow."
According to TASS and other sources on the 3rd (local time), President Putin held a press conference in Beijing, China that day and addressed the possibility of a bilateral meeting with President Zelensky, stating, "It is possible. If President Zelensky is finally ready, let him come to Moscow. Such talks will take place."
He explained that he gave this answer when U.S. President Donald Trump asked him whether a meeting with President Zelensky was possible. President Zelensky has been demanding a face-to-face meeting with President Putin to resolve the Ukraine issue. President Putin stated that, if necessary, the level of direct negotiating representatives between Russia and Ukraine, which has been held three times this year, could be raised. However, he expressed satisfaction with the current role of Vladimir Medinsky, Kremlin aide and head of the Russian delegation.
In response to President Putin's proposal for talks in Moscow, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated on the social media platform X that "President Putin is toying with everyone by deliberately making unacceptable proposals." Minister Sybiha added that at least seven countries, including Austria, the Vatican, Switzerland, and three Gulf states, are ready to host such talks, and President Zelensky is willing to participate in these at any time.
President Putin also referred to President Zelensky as the "acting head of Ukraine's administration." He has criticized President Zelensky for continuing to serve as president after his term expired in May last year, citing martial law as the reason. He said, "Simply holding cautious meetings with an acting head of administration is meaningless," adding, "If the talks are well-prepared and can lead to positive results, I will not refuse them." He also stated that the issue of Ukrainian territory can only be resolved through a national referendum, saying, "To hold a referendum, martial law must be lifted, and once martial law is lifted, elections should be held immediately."
Regarding discussions on Ukraine's security guarantees, President Putin emphasized, "Every country, including Ukraine, can choose its own security guarantees. However, security guarantees that come at the expense of the security of other countries, such as Russia, are not acceptable." He further stated that during his discussion with President Trump on the Ukraine issue in Alaska on the 15th of last month, he never suggested guaranteeing Ukraine's security in exchange for territory, saying, "We have never presented or discussed this issue in such a manner."
Regarding the Ukraine conflict, he said, "There is light at the end of the tunnel," indicating that a resolution is possible. However, he warned that if a peace agreement is not reached, Russia "will have to resolve everything militarily." He also claimed that while Russian forces are advancing on the entire front, Ukrainian forces are unable to conduct large-scale offensives and are focusing on maintaining their positions.
President Putin confirmed that his invitation for President Trump to visit Moscow remains valid, but clarified that no schedule has been set and no related preparations have been made as of now.
Regarding President Trump's claim that President Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un plotted "anti-American collusion" during the 80th anniversary military parade of China's Victory Day, President Putin said he regarded this as a statement reflecting "humor." He added, "It is clear that the American president is not lacking in humor, and everyone knows this," and "I have a good relationship with him, and we call each other by our first names, not by our surnames." He also mentioned that during his four-day visit to China from the 31st of last month, he did not hear any negative evaluations of the current U.S. administration from other world leaders, and that everyone supported the U.S.-Russia summit held in Alaska.
Regarding German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently calling him a "war criminal," President Putin pointed out that this was "an unsuccessful attempt to avoid responsibility for the tragedy currently unfolding in Ukraine." President Putin has consistently argued that the West, including Europe, incited the 2014 coup in Ukraine, which he claims is one of the root causes of the conflict.
President Putin described his four-day visit to China, which concluded that day, as "positive and useful," and evaluated President Xi's "global governance" proposal as timely. He especially highlighted that Russia and China, after years of discussions, have reached an agreement on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project, which will allow Russia to supply China with more than 100 billion cubic meters of gas annually. While the gas price through the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline has not yet been disclosed, he said, "It is a mutually beneficial agreement," and "everyone is satisfied."
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